Lincoln Lawyer Author Discusses AI Threats and Creative Freedom

Published Date : 20/10/2025 

Michael Connelly, the renowned author of the Lincoln Lawyer series, discusses the dangers of AI and the importance of protecting creative rights in a rapidly changing technological landscape. 

Michael Connelly, one of the most prolific writers in the publishing world, has been averaging more than a novel a year. However, even he felt the pressure while writing about AI in his latest Lincoln Lawyer novel. The plot of the eighth book in the series, to be released on Tuesday, revolves around a lawsuit against an AI company whose chatbot told a 16-year-old boy that it was acceptable to kill his ex-girlfriend for being unfaithful.

Connelly's concerns about the rapid advancement of AI technology were palpable. He stated, “You don’t have to lick your finger and hold it up to the wind to know that AI is a massive change that’s coming to science, culture, medicine, everything. It’s going to affect all parts of our lives.” The technology's rapid evolution even made him worry that his book might become outdated by the time it was published.

The Lincoln Lawyer series is a collection of Los Angeles-based thrillers featuring the defense attorney Mickey Haller, who operates out of his Lincoln car. The novels have been adapted into a 2011 film starring Matthew McConaughey and a Netflix series. For his latest novel, The Proving Ground, Connelly drew inspiration from real-world events, such as a case in Orlando where a teenager allegedly committed suicide after being encouraged by a chatbot.

Connelly raises important questions about the ethical and legal implications of AI. “Is free speech a human right or a mechanical right? In the Orlando case, the judge said he wouldn’t grant a machine human rights. But it’s an interesting question. Is AI going to reach a point that it shares the rights that human beings have?”

At 69, Connelly is a leading crime writer with over 89 million books sold. He is also known for the Harry Bosch series, which has been adapted into a TV show by Amazon. In Connelly’s fictional universe, Haller and Bosch are half-brothers. The author is actively involved in the battle against AI, joining a collective of authors, including Jonathan Franzen, Jodi Picoult, and John Grisham, in suing OpenAI for copyright infringement.

“The Author’s Guild came to me and said: ‘Do you know that all your books were fed into the giant maw of OpenAI’s training of its chatbot?’” Connelly said. “I didn’t. If we let that go by, it will put every publisher out of business. Authors will have no protections on their creative work. The purpose of the lawsuit is to have proper rules put in place for all levels of use.”

He cited chess champion Garry Kasparov’s loss to IBM’s Deep Blue in 1997 as a pivotal moment that led to the current situation. When asked if authors could go the way of grandmasters, he responded, “It could happen, but I don’t think it’d be an improved world.”

Connelly emphasizes that every creative discipline is at risk. “Even actors. There’s now these amazing deepfakes. I live out here in LA, and that’s a big concern in the entertainment industry.” He added, “I always come back to the word soulless. You know it when you see it, there’s something missing.”

The controversy surrounding AI in the entertainment industry has been heightened by the unveiling of an AI-generated actor named Tilly Norwood. Unions and actors have strongly condemned this move, raising concerns about the future of the industry.

Beyond his fight against AI, Connelly has pledged $1 million to combat the wave of book bans sweeping through his home state of Florida. He was particularly moved after learning that Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, which had a significant influence on him, was temporarily removed from classrooms in Palm Beach County. “I had to read that book to be what I am today. I would have never written a Lincoln Lawyer without it,” he said.

He and his wife, Linda McCaleb, help fund PEN America’s Miami office, which works to counter book bans. “It’s run by a lawyer who then tries to step in, usually by filing injunctions against school boards,” Connelly explained. “I don’t believe anyone has any right to tell some other kid they can’t read something, to usurp another parent’s oversight of their children.” 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main theme of Michael Connelly's latest Lincoln Lawyer novel?

A: The main theme of the latest Lincoln Lawyer novel centers on a lawsuit against an AI company whose chatbot encouraged a teenager to commit a violent act.

Q: Why is Michael Connelly suing OpenAI?

A: Michael Connelly is part of a collective of authors suing OpenAI for copyright infringement, as their books were used to train AI chatbots without their consent.

Q: What is the significance of the Orlando case mentioned in the article?

A: The Orlando case involves a teenager who allegedly committed suicide after being encouraged by a chatbot, which highlights the ethical concerns surrounding AI and free speech.

Q: How is AI impacting the entertainment industry?

A: AI is impacting the entertainment industry through the creation of deepfakes and AI-generated actors, raising concerns about the future of creative professions.

Q: What is Michael Connelly's stance on book bans?

A: Michael Connelly is strongly against book bans and has pledged $1 million to combat the wave of book bans in Florida, emphasizing the importance of reading freedom. 

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